The best interior design programs include tools that import photos and floor plans from other software or even have features that let you scan blueprints and convert them for fine-tuning. Additionally, a good interior design program has sample plans you can use as jumping-off points, in case you don’t know what you want in the beginning.

For architecture professionals and digitaldesigners, it’s previously been almost impossible to break free from theclutches of AutoDesk. They are the single largest computer aided designsoftware developers in the world, and have cornered the market when it comes toprograms used to draft, model, and even render in 3D.

And while the likes of Revit, 3DS Max, and thealmighty AutoCAD certainly aren’t going away, there have never been more free,open-source alternatives that let small offices and individuals producedrafting work that lives up to the professional standards of some of the mostexpensive software available.

The following open-source programs won’t bereplacing AutoCAD anytime soon, but they will give you a few options whenweighing whether or not you’re willing to shell out thousands of dollars onlicensed software.

FreeCAD

FreeCAD is a parametric 3D drafting programthat has come a long way since it was first introduced into the world in 2002.15 Years of seasoning has done it well, transforming it into a viablealternative to other drafting programs like Revit and AutoCAD. And while it maynot have the professional polish that comes with a hefty price tag, FreeCAD hasall the tools necessary to create high-quality drawings and 3D models.

And while FreeCAD was designed as a tool forcreators, DIYers, and inventors, it has been developed into a program that canbe used by architects, designers, and 3D visualizers to great effect.And..it’s FREE!

DraftSight

DraftSight is a 2D drafting program likeAutoCAD that is designed for personal, individual use. You won’t find all thebells and whistles that come packaged in with the big boys, but you will find afully functional toolset that will satisfy all your drafting needs. It’s agreat starter program, and one that has an intuitive user interface and alanguage that can be easily understood.

The only thing you need to start usingDraftSight is a valid email address. The software is currently available forWindows and in beta for Mac and Ubuntu. If this is your first foray into theworld of 2D drafting, you could do a lot worse.

LibreCAD

LibreCAD is an open-source 2D drafting programthat has a strong, passionate base of fans who are dedicated to not only usingthe software, but working to make it better. It includes most standard 2Ddrafting tools and a snappy, quick interface to tie it all together. Itutilizes tools and concepts that are similar to AutoCAD, so those familiar withthat program should feel right at home.

LibreCAD’s source code is entirely free todownload, use, and manipulate at your leisure. The best thing about becoming aLibreCAD user is that it’s always changing and always being tweaked to bebetter, more user-friendly, and more capable.

SketchUp

SketchUp has exploded its user-base wellbeyond the industry of architecture, design, construction, and drafting,finding its way into people’s homes who might not otherwise touch a 3D modelingor drafting program. It’s easy to use, understand, and completely free. Andwhile using SketchUp as a primary drafting tool comes with a laundry list ofshortcomings, it can certainly be used as a stop-gap while you save up forproprietary software.

SketchUp does almost everything well, and anydesigner or visualization artist would be missing out on a great idea maker ifthey don’t use it on a daily basis. It’s great for developing concepts, makingthem better, and then showing them off to friends, clients, and builders alike.

AutoCAD (Student Version)

I know, I’m cheating a bit on this one, butyou should know you have the ability to download and use an almostfully-fledged version of AutoCAD. You have to claim you’re a student, however,so hopefully a little white lie won’t spoil your enjoyment too much. You shouldnote, however, that if you try to plot, print, or export documentation withthis version, it will be met with a watermark that prevents you from using themcommercially or otherwise professionally.

Make no mistake, this is AutoCAD in every otherfacet. So, if you’re looking to flesh out your drafting chops and transformyourself into a pro before making the leap to the licensed version, this is agreat avenue to make that happen.

The most popular rendering software used by architects and designers may be a subjective claim. Strictly speaking, there are a number of architects and designers of varying degrees of expertise, and the software they use may differ from one architect to another.

However, we compiled a list of the best rendering software we’ve seen architects and designers use for fun. This is to help anyone looking for ideas on rendering software they can get when they’re just starting out, or if you’re looking for an upgrade. If you haven't already, make sure you checkout another our comprehensive list of free 3d software

VRay

How would you like to use an Academy Award-winning software for your architecture work? VRay has been recognized for their contribution of movie making magic. This is just one of the reasons why VRay is one of the most popular rendering software in the industry.

VRay is a flexible rendering software that can be used in various industries. This includes the design of architectural models, making it a favorite among architects and designers. The software specializes in light and shadow, and aids architects and designers in creating realistic output. VRay allows a variety of camera effects by providing depth-of-field bokeh effects, accurate motion blur, and custom cameras. There is a learning curve in using VRay, which makes it difficult for beginners. However, once that is overcome, the results are spectacular.

VRay can be downloaded as a standalone software or as a plugin for existing visual rendering softwares. The latter could be a more economical choice if a hobbyist wants to upgrade his or her urrent visual rendering software. Popular 3D software such as SketchUp, Maya, and 3DS Max support the VRay plugin.

VRay is quite expensive, and is often considered an investment for hobbyists leaning to further enhance their craft, or for architecture students who want to use more professional gear.

Maxwell

Maxwell is a rendering software that specializes in architecture and design applications. Used by esteemed architects such as Zaha Hadid Architects, and David Chipperfield Architects, Maxwell allows designers to create make their surreal designs into some form of reality.

The latest Maxwell version now has a denoiser. Their denoiser preserves texture and geometry details, giving a sharper output without sacrificing the smaller details. Infinite light variations are also saved in one single renderer, allowing users to save time and effort with their designs. An increased material library is also available at the user’s disposal, giving out more options for architects to work on.

Maxwell can be integrated to existing 3D or CAD platforms such as SketchUp, ArchiCAD, 3DS Max, and Maya. Maxwell Studio, the standalone version, can also be used for 3D or CAD programs that Maxwell doesn’t have a plug-in for yet. Maxwell also offers their multilight technology as a standalone application, to allow more users to get different lighting styles at one render.

The render software retails for approximately 495 euros. It may be quite pricey for a newbie, but for architecture newbies getting their start in the industry, Maxwell is a good investment for future work.

Octane Render

Octane Render is one of the world’s first GPU-accelerated, unbiased and physically correct renderers. The latest version of the software, Octane Render 3, has a volumetric light field feature and deep motion buffer for speedy VR rendering. It is an ambitious software that plans to go on par with the likes of VRay and Maxwell.

Download Mac Emulator Roms 10.6.8 - real advice. This is a version of UAE, the Ubiquitous Amiga Emulator, with an emulation core largely based on WinUAE. Mac os x 10.6.8 emulators free download. RetroArch RetroArch is a way to run classic games on a wide assortment of Operating Systems and Consoles. CoolROM.com's exclusive Mac emulators section. Download the latest emulators for GBA, NDS, N64, SNES, MAME, PSX, PS2, PSP and more here. Psx emulator mac 10.6.8. Running games emulators on old Mac OS (10.6.8) Does anyone have any suggestions of good programs to use for retro game emulation on an old Mac Mini (mid-2007 model, Intel core 2 duo, 1gb ram) running mac os 10.6.8? I've done some googling and this https.

Octane Render prides itself in being one of the most flexible render engines in the market. They have a plugin for nearly twenty-one 3D/CAD programs in the market, and even allow switching between different modelling tools. If a plugin isn’t available for your program, a standalone edition is also available for purchase and is compatible for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Octane Render has limited resources compared to its pricier counterparts, but the outputs produced are of comparable quality. Although it does require nicer computer specs to function well (such as NVIDIA graphics cards), Octane Render is a great starting point for hobbyists.

Cinema 4D

Unlike the ones at the top of the list, Cinema4D isn’t just a renderer. It functions both as a renderer and a 3D modeling software, making it a versatile program for any 3D visualizer to have. Cinema4D is built with intuitive design and easy operation, and even goes as far as offering a help system for their functions (just right-click on the function and help is provided!).

Cinema4D also has a growing community that helps beginners start their ropes in modeling and rendering, and where more experienced users can share tips and tricks.

Four versions of the software are available for purchase: Studio, Broadcast, Visualize, and Prime. Studio focuses on advanced 3D graphics, Broadcast is best suited for the motion graphics artist, and beginners can get their start in 3D with Cinema4D Prime. The Visualize version is the set Cinema4D has customized for architects & designers, making it a one-stop shop for one’s architectural modeling needs.

Interested 3D artists have the option to purchase between a single-seat and multiple-seat license. The former only allows the license to be used for a single computer while the latter lets a number of computers use the same software simultaneously.

Although Cinema4D is quite pricey, the fact that it’s a 3D modeling software and renderer combined make it a good investment for anybody looking to go serious with their modeling work.

Blender’s Cycles

Blender is best known for being the open-house 3D modeling software that can rival its higher-end counterparts. Their in-house render, Cycles, isn’t as talked about, but it’s a noteworthy addition to the list.

Cycles helps take all that 3D work done in Blender and polish it to a realistic finish. It is a ray-trace based production render engine and allows GPU and multi-core CPU rendering to optimize the process. Cycles takes into consideration every tiny detail with their geometry function. Hair curves and meshes, and different lighting conditions help bring to life models.

Architects and designers may enjoy using Cycles as the render engine uses adaptive subdivision and bump mapping to help provide more physically possible depth into landscapes, and helps provide realistic lighting.

CPU users may also rejoice as the engine may also be customized through Open Shading Language. Although it’s a bit on the trickier side, code-savvy users may get unlimited ways to further improve the engine at the tip of their fingers.

Blender is free to use and download, and is supported in Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

Lumion

Lumion is a 3D rendering software made with architects and designers in mind. With the goal of empowering architects and designers to create beautiful image and video renders without prior experience, Lumion provides intuitive and beautiful renders at a fast pace. Users can edit work in real-time, and learn how to create videos, images, and panoramas within fifteen minutes.

Lumion is the most approachable render engine in the market, which makes it perfect for architects and designers new to digital modeling, or for experienced workers looking for a no-fuss render engine.

Perhaps the biggest reason why one should get Lumion is the fact that it’s compatible with almost every 3D model or CAD software in the market. Lumion works well with SketchUp, Autodesk Revit, and more!

There are two versions of Lumion available for purchase: the standard Lumion, and the Lumion Pro. The Lumion Pro is more expensive by 1,000 euros. Additional features in the Pro version include sound import for 2D backgrounds, real-time fly through, and a workflow. However, the standard version is still a good package for its cost, and will be an investment to most architects and designers focusing on architectural modeling.

Modo

Modo is another kind of one-stop visual modeling and rendering program. Modo is underrated in the modeling industry, but it’s beginning to get the recognition it deserves. If you have a 3D model/ CAD program that you’re already comfortable with, Modo’s rendering engine is one to look out for: it’s easy to use and its performance is comparable to the render giants in the industry.

Anybody wanting to try Modo out can avail their free trial for 30 days. For those who like both the render engine and want to adopt the software, Modo provides annual payment options for interested users for less than $1,000. On the other hand, a permanent license costs below $2,000.

Modo is great for anyone looking for a fuss-free program that gives similar output to more expensive programs. This makes it perfect for any one to use in their journey from 3D newbie to expert.

Punch Home Design Studio

Punch Home Design Studio isn’t the most advanced rendering program in the list. However, for those looking for a basic render program, it’s a great and lightweight alternative.

The software specializes in home and landscape design, making it a great tool for architecture hobbyists or students. One could say it’s the architectural render software for beginners!

Users can design their home from scratch, or remodel your current classic layouts. Punch! Home has an extensive library of products, materials, and furnishings to make it a useful tool for architects and designers alike.

Punch! Home is available for Windows and Mac. Three versions are compatible for Windows: Home & Landscape Design Architectural Series, Home & Landscape Design Essentials, Home & Landscape Design Premium, and Home & Landscape Design Professional. The versions compatible for Mac are the following: Home Design Studio Complete, Home Design Studio Essentials, and Home Design Studio.

And that concludes our list! Did your favorite render engine make our list? Let us know if it did or didn’t and tell us more about what makes a render engine the best for you. Happy rendering!